News Briefs From Across The State
By Monica Land
Allegedly took cash from business
A 42-year-old woman has been charged with felony embezzlement after being accused of stealing money from a business in Columbus.
WTVA reports Columbus police arrested Amy Watts of West Point. Her bond was set at $2,500.
Police say Watts allegedly took cash from Title Cash on Highway 45 North. The case remains under investigation.
Police say the amount of money taken from the business is still unknown.
It was unclear whether Watts has an attorney.
Bus driver: School system failed to support her
The DeSoto County school bus driver involved in a March traffic incident with Southaven Mayor Greg Davis says she doesn't think school officials gave her the support she deserved.
The Commercial Appeal reports Tracey Ann Riva met with DeSoto County school board members in private session at the end of their regular meeting earlier this month.
DeSoto County Schools spokeswoman Katherine Nelson defended the system's handling of the case.
Davis in October paid $968 in fines for the misdemeanor offenses of passing a stopped school bus and having blue police lights on his private vehicle. Judge Court Judge Steve Ross found Davis guilty in September.
Riva filed a complaint against Davis over a March 22 encounter in which she said Davis failed to stop as her bus was discharging children.
Hospital, ambulance company respond to suit
Forrest General Hospital and AAA Ambulance Service have denied any wrongdoing in response to a lawsuit contending they steered patients away from Wesley Medical Center.
The Hattiesburg American reports that the companies filed their response to the lawsuit this past week in federal court in Hattiesburg.
Wesley sued AAA and Forrest General Hospital in April. Both hospitals are in Hattiesburg.
Wesley contends some patients were falsely classified as “trauma'' patients and were told they could only be taken to Forrest General because they could not receive care at Wesley.
Wesley says patients were told Wesley did not have physician specialists or capabilities to care for their medical emergencies.
In its response, Forrest General also claims that as a political subdivision of the state, the hospital is entitled to immunity.
Insurance agent accused of failing to pay
An insurance agent has been accused of failing to send customers' insurance payments to insurers.
Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd said in a press release received by The Sun Herald that 35-year-old Chad Michael Davis of St. Martin has been arrested.
Byrd says Davis was charged with two counts of felony false pretense involving two payments, one for $16,331 and the other $2,130.
He says the arrest came after sheriff's and Mississippi Department of Insurance investigators reviewed complaints from customers who said insurance companies had not received their insurance payments.
County Court Judge T. Larry Wilson set his bond at $10,000. Davis is out of jail on bond.